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EGGS: We raise our own laying hens from day-old chicks so they can spend their whole lives adapted to the unique conditions of our farm. They live in mobile henhouses that move everywhere on the farm. The henhouse is surrounded by portable electric fence that protects the hens from daytime predators and directs the manure exactly where we need to have it applied. Every day, the grazing paddock is moved on to fresh grass, so the hens always have interesting foods to eat in addition to their basic mixed grain and organic mineral ration. Since 75% of what a hen eats goes out the back end (in addition to the egg!), the soil gets a tremendous benefit from these periodic light applications of manure as the hens move around the farm. We gather eggs twice a day, then hand wash and chill them to await sale. Any eggs you buy are very fresh, as we sell all of them within a few days of being produced. Notice the hard shell, bright color of the yolks (your proof of grass feeding), upright shape of the yolks, and strength of the yolk membrane.
You can buy our eggs in Indianapolis at Good Earth, Kincaid’s Meats, Vintage Health Foods, Farm Fresh Delivery, Georgetown Market, the Traders Point Farmers Market, and Winding Way Farms Health Food. Restaurants using our eggs include Petersons, Traders Point Cafe, and Cobblestone Grill.
CHICKEN: We have meat chickens from May through October. They come as day old chicks and are kept in the brooder until they are 2 weeks old. Then they go out to the field pens for 6 weeks. The field pens are open on the bottom, and we move them forward every morning to fresh grass. Stewing hens are available November through April. TURKEY: Thanksgiving turkeys are available through the month of November. Turkeys must be reserved ahead by email, and the list is usually full by June or July. BEEF: We raise 100% grass-fed beef, which is sold by the cut, and also by halves, as available. Our herd is still small, but grows every year as the chickens improve the soil and therefore the carrying capacity of the farm.
We use a Management Intensive Grazing system where we move the animals every day to fresh grass using portable electric fencing. This provides a high variety of forage foods to the animals, spreads nutrients evenly throughout the farm, and gives you a nutrient dense meat. We encourage visitors. You should know where your food comes from and how it is raised, not just take someone’s word for it. Come out, take a walk, satisfy yourself.
LUELLA and DAVID PORTER
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